Today’s Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 16:1 through Jeremiah 18:23; Jeremiah 35:1-19
This is what the Lord says: Listen to my warning!
Stop carrying on your trade at Jerusalem’s gates on the Sabbath day. Do not do your work on the Sabbath, but make it a holy day. I gave this command to your ancestors, but they did not listen or obey. They stubbornly refused to pay attention or accept my discipline. –Jeremiah 17:21-23
I love Chick-fil-A! Their chicken salad sandwich is my favorite! But it sure is tough when I get a craving for a sandwich and some waffle fries on a Sunday afternoon and then remember, “They’re closed on Sundays.”
I grew up in the days when Sunday was a day of rest—you went to church in the morning and evening and then had a big Sunday dinner with your family—you didn’t mow the grass, clean, or do laundry. We never thought of going shopping. It was disrespectful to turn Sunday into an ordinary day.
In today’s world we try to “fit church in” the rest of our day. Sunday is one of the most popular “eating out day’s” of the week. This makes Truett Cathy’s policy of closing his Chick-fil-A restaurants on Sunday a practice that leaves the business world and all chicken lovers asking, “Why would he do that?”
Chic-fil-A’s “Closed-on-Sunday policy” and their company’s Corporate Purpose fit like a hand and a glove:
To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us.
To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.
Is closing on Sunday just a personal conviction of Truett Cathy or is there a lesson we can all learn about allowing God to be Lord of our lives?
I wonder how our lives would change if we made Sunday a holy day, a day of worship and rest?
I wonder what would happen if we gave the 4th commandment, “Remember the Sabbath…” the same respect as other commandments like “have no Gods before me” and “do not murder”?
Would we…
- Be less stressed
- Be healthier
- Be more prosperous
- Have more time for friends
- Be closer as a family
- Be closer to God
Friends, this isn’t about some legalistic Pharisaical practice.
- It’s about looking for ways to honor God; not finding “what is the least I can do to get to heaven.”
- It’s about believing that the God who made us knows what’s best for us.
- It’s about knowing, understanding and allowing Jesus to be the Lord of our lives.
- It’s about living a life that causes others to know Him.
How is honoring God by closing on Sundays affecting Chic-fil-A’s bottom line?
Chick-fil-A restaurants often generate more business per square foot in six days than many other quick-service restaurants produce in seven. Chick-fil-A generated more than $3.2 billion dollars in sales in 2009, and the chain has enjoyed sales gains for 42 consecutive years (every year since the first Chick-fil-A restaurant opened in 1967). Cathy credits “blessings from the Lord” for the great success the company has enjoyed and he remains as committed as ever to maintaining the Closed-on-Sunday policy. “I feel it’s the best business decision I ever made,” says Cathy. (Chick-fil-A’s Closed on Sunday policy)
We can never out-give God. When we honor him with our time, talent, and treasure we will be blessed.
Heavenly Father, show us how to honor you on Your day and every day. Help us to make our lives a testimony to your holiness!
In Jesus Name. Amen and Amen!
© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 49:1-33; 2 Kings 24:5-7; 2 Chronicles 36:6-8; 2 Kings 24:8-9; 2 Chronicles 36:9; Jeremiah 22:24 through Jeremiah 23:32
